Island



(No Model.)

M. VIRNOGHE.

GAMB APPARATUS.

Patented sept. 17, 1889.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MAXIME VIRNOOHE, OF VOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR OF THREE-FOURTHS TO LOUIS LEMONDE, JEMENGIO BOUINO, AND FER- DINAND CREPEAU, OF SAME PLACE.

GAM E APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 411,402, dated September 17, 1889.

Application filed May 28, 1889. Serial No. 312,406. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it 71mg/ concern:

Be it known that I, MAXIME VIENocHE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Toonsocket, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in gaine-boards, and the novelty will be fully understood from the following, description and claims, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of my improved board with the balls or Inarbles in position, and the gun, such as employed in the game, illustrated. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing' the position of the wire gua-rd in dotted lines.

Referring by letter to said drawings, Aindicates a boa-rd preferably of elongated rectangular form. This board is of any suitable size and has a smooth upper surface.

e indicates a marginal guard-wall arranged vertically, so as to retain the balls or marbles upon the board. This board is also provided near one end with recesses, as shown at l), adapted to receive the balls or marbles, and with lateral pockets c, for a similar purpose. These recesses and pockets, which are arranged near one end of the table, are protected by a hood or guard B, formed from wire-gauze or other suitable material which will adapt or afford inspection of the balls or Inarbles and yet prevent handling of t-hem without detection. This gauze guard is arranged upon the table so as to extend sufficiently high. that it will not interfere with the free movement of the Inarbles on the board, and the entrance portion preferably iiares, as shown at (Z. The guard is also provided in its roof ortop with an annular opening, as shown at c, so as to permit a person setting the balls or marbles, such as in the game of pool. By this construction it will be seen that when the marbles or balls have been fired,

as will be presently explained, they will be prevented Vfrom leaving the table, as the wire guard will retain them upon the board, the marginal skirt-flange assisting when the marbles have been driven from beneath the wirework.

The board may be placed upon a table or other suitable support, or in some cases it may be mounted upon legs, such as an ordinary billiard or pool table.

In operation the attendant nests the balls by access through the opening in the wire shield or guard in the position as shown. The player, who should be stationed from eight to ten 'feet from the marbles on the board, takes a gun such as shown and shoots at the marbles with a rubber or other suitable ball, the marbles being numbered. Those entering the pockets are counted toward the game by the numbers they represent.

The gun which I employ, as indicated by Z, is designed to be a spring-actuated or air gun, as by the use of such there will be no report or excitement caused at the firing, and it may be operated by any person without experience, there being nothing about `it which may getout of order.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination, with a game-board having a bank and side pockets, of a guard composed of wire-work arranged over the board and above the pockets therein, and also havingacentral openingin its roof, substantially as and for the purpose specied.

2. The combination of a gameboard having a vertical marginal guard-wall, and a guard arranged across the table and. above the pockets and recesses therein, the said guard having an opening in its roof to permit of the introduction of the arm to the board, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence ot two witnesses.

MAXIME VIRNOCHE. Witnesses:

GEO. W. SPAULDING, SAMI.. P. COOK. 

